CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. .Lows zero to 5 above. Temperature rising overnight.   Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 20s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of

snow. Lows 10 to 15. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s. South winds

10 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.FRIDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows near zero.

.CHRISTMAS DAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow.

Highs around 10.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow

after midnight. Lows around 5 below.

.SUNDAY…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs

around 10.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow.

Lows around 5 below.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow. Highs

zero to 5 above.

 

 

 

The North Dakota Department of Health dashboard is updated daily by 11 am and includes cases reported through the previous day. The investigations are ongoing and information on the website is likely to change as cases are investigated. The information contained in this dashboard is the most up to date and will be different than previous news releases. This dashboard supersedes information from previous news releases or social media postings.

Check out our other dashboards: The COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard, NDUS Dashboard.COVID- 19 stats:

 

COVID-19 Stats

Tue. Dec. 21, 2021

10:20 -a.m.

Barnes

New Positives: 10

Total Positives: 2177

Active: 39

Recovered:  2094

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 395

 

Stutsman

New Positives: 7

Total Positives: 5088

Active: 44

Recovered: 4944

Breakthrough Incidents Per 10K Fully Vaccinated Individuals: 442

 

Update …No CCHD Covid 19 testing on Friday December 24 or Friday December 31, with CCHD closed for a holiday break…

Valley City (CCHD)  City County Health in Valley City announces their COVID-19 testing days and site location in Valley City.

Testing is at the REC Center at 140 4th Street Southwest.

Testing will be 12:30-2:30 Mon, Weds, and Fridays.

There are opportunities for vaccinations, both for annual influenza and for the COVID vaccine.  Call 845-8518 to make an appointment.

 

 

Jamestown  (CVHD)  Central Valley Health District reminds residents that COVID testing is  on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, at the Jamestown Civic Center, Exchequor Room, from 11-a.m. to 1-pm.

Call CVHD at 701-252-8130 to register.

 

 

 

 

 

Valley City  ( CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Approved 2022 License to Sell L.P. Gas for:
a. Dakota Plains Ag
b. Petro Serve USA #071
c. CBF Oil Inc dba Vining Oil & Propane
And authorize the Auditor’s Office to issue licenses for applicants who meet all licensing requirements before December 30th, 2021.

Approved 2022 Mobile Home Park License Renewals for
a. Rockwater LLC
b. Richard Plecity Trailer Court

And authorize the Auditor’s Office to issue licenses for applicants who meet all licensing requirements before December 30th, 2021.

Also approved:
Approve 2022 Tree Trimming and Removal Service License for Pine Country Nursery.
Approve Raffle Permit for Sharp Shooter Showdown on February 5, 2022 at the Eagles.

Public Comments  No One Spoke

PUBLIC HEARING
Regarding changes to the official Zoning Map of the City.

Following the Public Hearing.  Approved was the Second and Final Reading of Ordinance 1091, an Ordinance approving changes to the official Zoning Map of the City.  City Attorney Martineck said he received no comments from adjacent property owners.

ORDINANCE
Approved a  First Reading of Ordinance 1093, an Ordinance Amending and Reenacting Chapter 20-06 of the Valley City Municipal Code re City Lodging Tax.  City Attorney Martineck said several language changes were made under the North Dakota Century Code.  The tax will remain at three percent.

Approved the First Reading of Ordinance 1094, an Ordinance to Amend and Enact Section 15-01-16.2 of the Valley City Municipal Code regarding Surface Drainage and Storm Sewer System Cleaning and Maintenance Fee. City Attorney Martineck the fee was at $1.  The Resolution includes an increase in the fee.

RESOLUTION
Approved a Resolution 2328, a Resolution Establishing Electrical Rates. Public Works Manager Jacobson said, a rate increase was necessary, and involves large power usage, to reach a predetermined profit margin.  The rate increase amounts to an average $73 per month.

Approved a Resolution 2329, a Resolution Establishing Rates and Fees for Solid Waste Services. The rate increase includes, residential from $13 to $14,  and commercial rates from $22 to $24 per month, plus other increases, to offset losses, this year at $28,000.  The increase allows for a $30,000 margin.

Approved a Resolution 2330, a Resolution Establishing Rates for Surface Draining and Storm Sewer Cleaning and Maintenance Fee. Public Works Manager Jacobson said the fee goes from $1 to $2.50 per month, allowing for a margin of $62,500.

NEW BUSINESS
Approved Final Copy of the 2022 Employee Policy & Procedure Manual. City Attorney Martineck said major changes include family sick leave, removing the 40 hour cap as a written policy.  Full time employees only  are  not allowed to have family members to work in the same department.

Approved a new Service Agreement with Valley City Parks and Recreation and Valley City Convention and Visitors Bureau for Administration of City Lodging Tax.

Approved a Request for Funds from VCBCDC for Resource Development Specialist (3 years).  Director Jennifer Feist said the position will be for three years at a salary of $66,00o per year,  funding coming from the city sales tax for economic development.

Approve a Request for Funds from VCBCDC for Small Projects (2022). Jennifer Feist said the $20,000 is used for architectural  engineering, and a portion to pay property taxes on the small projects.

Approved a Public Works Capital and Operating Budgets for FY22. Public Works Manager Jacobson said the budget includes salary increases.   The capital budget is at $2,358,000, including a reserve of $3-million.  Public Works is looking to invest $180,000 for a new automated garbage truck next year, and another truck the following year.

Approved a  Gaming Site Authorization Renewal for ND Chapters of Delta Waterfowl Inc. Finance Director Richter said this is the annual renewal.

Approved  moving forward with NDDOT Maintenance Contract along I-94 Frontage Road from 12th Ave e to Exit 294.

Approved  the NDDOT Urban Roads Project Submittal List for Fiscal Year 2023-2026. City Engineer Chad Peterson said it includes newly programed projects for 2022-23, and project schedule changes.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

Gwen Crawford said city officials have met with officials on flood mitigation, that included addressing to Mill Dam repairs in the funding.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Assessor Hansen said forms will be sent out to those asking about tax breaks and other issues, to be applied for annually.

Fire Chief Magnuson encourages Carbon Monoxide detectors be installed in residence, in light of the tragic loss of life Moorhead, MN, last weekend, evidently caused by the family being over come by carbon monoxide.  He said there are several different types of detectors available.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays.

 

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (NDDPI) – North Dakota State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler is inviting library specialists, educators, and other experts to participate in revising the state’s Library and Technology academic content standards for grades kindergarten through 12.

These standards were last updated in 2012. They provide guidelines about what students should know and be able to do in each grade as they advance through elementary and secondary school.

The Department of Public Instruction and the North Dakota State Library are collaborating to form a standards development committee to review and update the state’s present standards. The agencies are seeking library media specialists, special education and English learner specialists, educators with experience in standards and curriculum development, classroom teachers, and other experts.

The NDDPI website has detailed information about the state’s education content standards and how they are developed. Educators interested in joining the Library and Technology standards development committee may download the application form here.

Applications are due by Jan. 12, 2022. If you have questions regarding standards development, please email Davonne Eldredge at dpiacademicsupp@nd.gov.

The standards development committee will begin its work in February. The task will require about four separate meetings, with a goal of finishing by the fall of 2022.

 

 

Bismarck  (CSi)  – Gov. Doug Burgum Tuesday appointed Brian Kroshus to serve as North Dakota’s next tax commissioner, citing his experience as a business leader and his background in defending the public interest as a member of the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) for approximately five years.

 

Kroshus was appointed to the PSC by Burgum on Feb. 28, 2017. He was elected by voters in 2018 and then re-elected in 2020. He previously was a division leader and executive team member for Lee Enterprises, including serving as group publisher for Mandan-based Lee Agri-Media, the nation’s largest network of agricultural newspapers across a 15-state region, and as publisher of the Bismarck Tribune from 2005 to 2015.

 

“With his combination of private sector experience in leading a complex business operation and public sector experience in looking out for the best interests of consumers, Brian Kroshus is well-suited to fairly and effectively administer the tax laws of North Dakota,” Burgum said. “We are deeply grateful for his outstanding service to our citizens as a public service commissioner and look forward to his continued commitment to taxpayers as state tax commissioner.”

 

Kroshus will begin leading the Office of State Tax Commissioner Jan. 4. The agency currently has budgetary authority for 118 permanent team members and hires about 25 additional team members on a temporary basis for each income tax filing season.

 

Kroshus will serve out the remaining year of the unexpired four-year term of current Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger, who is resigning effective Jan. 3.

 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the highly capable team in the Office of State Tax Commissioner and look forward to serving North Dakota citizens in this new capacity,” Kroshus said. “Treating taxpayers with fairness, transparency and efficiency will be my top priority, understanding that this office and its duties are administered with the people’s money. We’ll also continue to work across state government and with our tribal and private sector partners to create and maintain a stable tax and regulatory environment that will support economic growth and prosperity for all.”

 

Kroshus, a Fargo native, earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and economics from North Dakota State University in 1987. He spent 10 years with Forum Communications in Fargo before joining the Bismarck Tribune in 1997. He was promoted to group publisher for Lee Agri-Media in 2004.

 

Kroshus has served on the board of directors of the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce, Bismarck-Mandan Development Association and the United Way, and on the board of trustees for the Bismarck State College Foundation, Sanford Health Foundation and Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation.

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has tested positive for COVID-19, along with his wife and teenage son. The governor’s office announced Tuesday that Walz and his family tested positive on Monday after his son experienced mild symptoms over the weekend. The governor and first lady Gwen Walz remain asymptomatic. All three have been vaccinated, including Walz who received the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine in March and the Moderna booster in October. Minnesota hospital capacity remains strained amid fears of an omicron-fueled spike in cases. Nearly 1,500 people were hospitalized with complications due to COVID-19 as of Monday, including 355 in intensive care.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is announcing plans to deliver 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans, increase support for hospitals and expand the availability of vaccines to confront a winter surge of coronavirus cases driven by the fast-spreading omicron variant. Biden said in a speech to the nation Tuesday that it’s Americans’ “patriotic duty,” as well as a wise medical step, to get vaccinated. The world is facing a second straight holiday season with COVID-19. Scientists know vaccination should offer strong protections against severe illness and death. Biden’s top medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, says the Democratic president will issue “a stark warning of what the winter will look like” for unvaccinated Americans.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he’s committed to keeping the city open as it grapples with yet another spike in coronavirus cases. The Democratic mayor said Tuesday that New York can’t see schools and businesses closed again like the city did in 2020 when COVID-19 first spread widely. De Blasio has faced questions over the past week about whether he would call for closures as a wave of new cases fueled by the omicron variant has broken over the city. Also on Tuesday, De Blasio’s successor Eric Adams postponed his inauguration ceremony, which was scheduled for Jan. 1 indoors at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania has rebuffed a request for him to sit down for an interview and turn over documents to the committee investigating the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Perry joins other allies of former President Donald Trump in trying to stonewall the committee. Perry said Tuesday the nine-member panel is “illegitimate” and “not duly constituted under the rules of” the House. Perry is the first sitting member of Congress the panel has requested to speak with. The committee has requested Perry provide information for its investigation surrounding his efforts to “install former Department of Justice official Jeffrey Clark as acting Attorney General.”

 

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A former Virginia Commonwealth University student has pleaded guilty to hazing and serving alcohol to a minor shortly before the 19-year-old fraternity pledge died from alcohol poisoning. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that 23-year-old Andrew White of Dulles pleaded guilty to the misdemeanors Tuesday. He is one of 11 former Delta Chi members charged in Adam Oakes’ February death. A prosecutor identified White as Oakes’ big brother in the fraternity. The police investigation found that Oakes was told to drink a large bottle of whiskey and the freshman from Loudoun County was found dead the next morning. Authorities said his death was caused by alcohol poisoning.

 

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Twenty-five years after JonBenet Ramsey was killed, police say they are looking at “genetic DNA testing” to see whether it can be used to help solve the case. The 6-year-old was found dead in the basement of her family’s Boulder, Colorado, home on Dec. 26, 1996. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever charged in the case. In a statement marking the anniversary of JonBenet’s death, the Boulder Police Department said it “is actively reviewing genetic DNA testing processes to see if those can be applied to this case moving forward.” A spokesperson declined further comment because it is an active case.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — A strike at Kellogg that has gone on since early October has ended after workers voted to ratify a new labor contract at the company’s four U.S. cereal plants. The contract covers approximately 1,400 workers represented by the union at plants in Michigan, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Kellogg said Tuesday that the new contract provides immediate, across the board wage increases and enhanced benefits for all. It also provides an accelerated, defined path to top-tier wages, a major sticking point for workers. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union said the contract is a win for workers.